Positioning system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for forming any desired portions and sizes of products, comprising an aligning belt ( 1 ) that conveys the products ( 2 ) while transferring them, at a transfer edge ( 4 ), to a portioning belt ( 3 ), on which the portions ( 6 ) and/or sizes ( 5 ) are formed and with which the portions are conveyed onward in their corresponding sizes. The invention relates to a system comprised of the inventive device and of a packing machine ( 16 ), and to a method for producing any desired portions and sizes of products.

This application is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/EP03/00179, International Filing Date, Jan. 10, 2003, whichdesignated the United States of America, and which internationalapplication was published under PCT Article 21(2) as WO Publication No.WO 03/057602 A1 and which claims priority from German Application No. DE102 01 182.6, filed Jan. 14, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for producing any desiredportions and formats of products, comprising an aligning belt whichconveys the products and at a transfer edge transfers them to aportioning belt on which the portions and/or the formats are producedand with which the portions are conveyed onwards in the correspondingformats. The present invention also relates to a system comprising thedevice according to the invention and a packaging machine and to amethod for producing any desired portions and formats of products.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

Positioning systems for positioning products, for example foodstuffs,other goods and the like, are known. Here the products are transferredby a conveyor belt, for example, to a packaging line. As these packagingsystems are nowadays constructed in multiple rows, an incoming productstream has to initially be divided into the number of product streamscorresponding to the number of product rows in the packaging line.Distribution of a single-row product stream among a multi-row packagingline is currently only possible when the number of conveyor belts withincoming products is arranged parallel above the respective row of thepackaging line, by means of which the individual products or productstacks are then placed in the respective row of the packaging line orare ejected from the conveyor belt.

The plant engineering for this is very complex. In addition, thedepositing sequence for the individual stacks cannot be varied, or canonly be varied with considerable expenditure. Complex machinery isrequired for a change of format in the packaging machine, for examplefrom three rows to four rows, before the products can be positioned in apackaging line.

Therefore, the object is to provide a device for producing any desiredportions and formats, which does not have the drawbacks of the priorart.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features ofclaim 1. The sub-claims relate to preferred embodiments of the presentinvention.

A portion according to the invention is any arrangement in whichproducts, in particular foodstuffs, are arranged in a specific portionpattern. The stack, the shingling in the longitudinal and transversedirections, in each case with and without overlapping, the zigzagpattern and the terrace-like row are mentioned here as non-limitingexamples of possible portion patterns.

A format according to the invention is the arrangement which theindividual portions assume with respect to one another. The format ofthe portions is generally based on the arrangement of the packagingcavities of a subsequent packaging machine in which the portions aredeposited and/or the clock rate at which the packaging cavities areconveyed onwards. The products are preferably deposited in parallelproduct rows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a device for producing any desired portionsand formats is provided, which consists of an aligning belt and aportioning belt. The products are conveyed by the aligning belt andtransferred at a transfer edge to the portioning belt. The respectivelydesired portions or formats are produced on the portioning belt. Also,according to the invention, the position of the transfer edge can bechanged in at least one direction and relative to the portioning beltand/or the position of the portioning belt can be changed in at leastone direction and relative to the transfer edge, the position of thetransfer edge and the movement of the portioning belt being coordinatedwith one another such that any desired portions and format can beproduced with the products. It is accordingly possible using the deviceaccording to the invention, to produce any desired portions in anydesired formats from a single-row conveying stream.

Any conveying device familiar to a person skilled in the art is suitableas the aligning belt. However, the aligning belt is preferably anendless conveyor belt. The change in the position of the transfer edgeof the aligning belt can be produced in that the entire aligning belt isdisplaceably mounted relative to the portioning belt and/or in that thelength of the aligning belt can be changed, for example by constructionas a return belt or shuttle belt. The device according to the inventioncan comprise a plurality of aligning belts which preferably operateindependently of one another. This embodiment is even more flexible thana device according to the invention with only one aligning belt.

If the position of the transfer edge relative to the portioning belt canbe changed, the movement of the transfer edge should preferably beconfigured in such a way that the transfer edge travels so far over thewidth or length of the portioning belt that, by taking into accounttheir throw parabola, the products can be deposited at any positionalong the portioning belt. The speed at which the position of thetransfer edge is changed is preferably greater than the conveying speedof the aligning belt.

Any devices familiar to a person skilled in the art on which theproducts can be deposited in predetermined portions and in a specificformat and can preferably be conveyed onwards is suitable as theportioning belt. The portioning belt can then convey the productsarriving in a single row from the aligning belt in multiple rows and inthe desired portion pattern onwards, for example, to a packagingmachine. The portioning belt is preferably an endless belt which ispreferably arranged in a machine frame. The change in the position ofthe portioning belt can be produced in that the entire machine frame ismoved relative to the transfer edge and/or in that the portioning beltis moved relative to the machine frame. The device according to theinvention can comprise a plurality of portioning belts which preferablyoperate independently of one another.

If the portioning belt is movable relative to the transfer edge, themovement of the portioning belt should preferably be configured in sucha way that, by taking into account their throw parabola, the productscan be deposited at any position along the aligning belt. The speed atwhich the portioning belt is moved should preferably be greater than theconveying speed of the aligning belt.

The aligning belt and the portioning belt can the arranged at anydesired angle to one another. However, an arrangement at a right angleis preferred.

In a preferred embodiment of invention the position of the transfer edgecan be changed in and counter to the conveying direction of the aligningbelt and the portioning belt is movable relative to the transfer edge inone direction. The two directions are preferably located in one planeand can adopt any desired angle to one another, the angle between theconveying direction and the direction of movement of the portioning beltpreferably being 90° or 270°.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the positionof the transfer edge in the conveying direction and transversely to theconveying direction of the aligning belt can be changed as desired. Theportioning belt is preferably not moved for producing the portions orformats.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention theportioning belt is constructed to be movable at least in two directionswhich are preferably perpendicular to one another. The transfer edge ofthe aligning belt is preferably not moved for producing the portions orformats.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the positionof the transfer edge can be changed in and counter to the conveyingdirection of the aligning belt and comprises a means with which theproducts can be lined up on the aligning belt relative to the centraltrack thereof. The portioning belt is preferably not moved for producingthe portions or formats.

The device preferably comprises a plurality of aligning and/orportioning belts, the conveying direction of which can be the same oropposed in each case.

The transfer edge is preferably displaceably mounted on the aligningbelt, preferably in a guide, the displacement preferably taking placevia a servomotor. In this case, the belt length has to be compensated inthe aligning belt. This embodiment of the present invention has theadvantage that the exact position of the end of the aligning belt can beascertained electronically at any time. It allows continuous positioningof the products to be deposited on the positioning belt. A displaceablymounted transfer edge also has the advantage that the products can betransferred from the aligning belt to the portioning belt by a fastreturn stroke, preferably at a constant conveying speed of the aligningbelt. This embodiment of the present invention reduces the tiltingeffect of the products during the parabolic trajectory thereof.

The portioning belt is preferably also a loading belt. In this case, oneor more formats are produced on the portioning belt, conveyed, forexample, to a packaging machine and then placed in packagings by theportioning belt. It is advantageous in particular when the portioningbelt is also used as a loading belt if one end thereof is displaceablymounted, so the portioning belt can be lengthened and shortened. Theportioning belt is particularly preferably configured as what is knownas a return or shuttle belt, so the products can be deposited in thepackaging cavities with a fast return stroke of the portioning belt.Said end is quite particularly preferably displaced by a servomotor, thebelt being stationary during the return. This embodiment of the presentinvention has the advantage that its positioning is very exact and thatthe exact position of the end of the portioning belt can beelectronically ascertained at any time.

The aligning belt and/or the portioning belt is also preferably drivenin each case by a servomotor, so the movements of the belts can becontrolled very precisely and can be transmitted by a sensor to centralcontrol unit.

In a preferred embodiment the device according to the inventioncomprises a detection means, preferably a photocell. This detectionmeans is preferably arranged in the region of the beginning of thealigning belt and detects the position of the products on the aligningbelt, at least in the conveying direction. In this case, the productsmust be arranged substantially aligned with one another on the aligningbelt, so exact portions and format can be produced. If the detectionmeans also ascertains the position of the products relative to thecentral track of the aligning belt, this information can be taken intoaccount when controlling the position of the transfer edge and/or themovement of the portioning belt in order to improve the quality of theportions or formats.

The signals of the detection means are preferably transmitted to acomputer, for example a memory programmable controller (SPS), which isin turn connected to the drives, for example the servomotors. The exactlocation of the respective product within the device can be calculatedwith the aid of the data transmitted by the detection means and thedrives. The drives of the device according to the invention are alsocontrolled by the computer. This embodiment of the present invention hasthe advantage that any portion patterns and format can be freelyprogrammed and stored and that the portion patterns and/or format can bechanged without a constructional change to the device according to theinvention having to be carried out. An amount for the clock rate of themovement of the portioning belt is preferably stored in the controller.It is also advantageous if the controller transmits a signal to thedrive of the portioning belt only when all rows of the portioning beltare occupied by products. This ensures that all rows to be supplied, forexample to a subsequent packaging machine, are occupied by products.

The conveying speed of the aligning belt is preferably constant. Thisembodiment of the present invention has the advantage that no productbuffer has to be arranged upstream of the aligning belt.

The device according to the invention is simple and inexpensive toproduce and operate. Any desired portions and formats may be producedusing the device according to the invention. The portion patterns and/orformats are freely programmable and can be changed as desired by pushinga button without the device according to the invention having to bemodified. The device according to the invention can be operated with adetection means. The position of the product on the aligning belt onlyhas to be detected once. The exact path and the speed of the respectiveproduct within the device can be determined with the aid of the signalsof the detection means and the signals of the drive sensors. Theproducts do not have to be transferred to the aligning belt withspecific spacing, so a buffer does not need to be arranged upstream ofthe device according to the invention. Irregular product spacing on thealigning belt can be compensated. The speed of the aligning belt canitself be kept constant on transfer of products from the aligning beltto the portioning belt, so a product buffer can be dispensed with. Ifthe subsequent machine, for example a packaging machine, stops, thedevice according to the invention is also stopped without the productslocated thereon having to be removed. Restarting then takes placeautomatically as the device knows the position of the respectiveproducts on the aligning and portioning belt as knowledge of path andspeed. When using the device according to the invention as a loadingbelt, the spacing between the intake central track of the aligning beltand the loading center line, for example of the packaging machine, canbe freely selected within the machine limits.

The device according to the invention can also be used to place theportioned products in packagings.

The present invention therefore also relates to a system consisting of adevice according to the invention and a packaging machine, theportioning belt in this case also being a loading belt which places theproducts into packaging cavities which are conveyed along the packagingmachine, preferably in a clocked manner.

The portioning/loading belt is preferably arranged at a right angle tothe packaging machine and the aligning belt is particularly preferablyarranged at a right angle to the portioning/loading belt. In theprocess, the aligning belt conveys the products arriving in rows to theportioning belt and positions them according to the predeterminedportion pattern or format. A person skilled in the art understands thatthe products can already be on the aligning belt in the desired portionpattern and only have to be arranged in the corresponding format on theportioning belt. The portioning belt then in turn conveys the portionsthus positioned to the packaging machine and deposits them in the traysprovided for them in the loading station. The two conveyor belts are inprinciple identical in construction, they basically differ only in theirwidth. However, it is also possible for the two conveyor belts to havethe same width. It is advantageous if a plurality of positioning beltsare provided or one positioning belt is divided into multiple rows andthe belt ends of the portioning belts are movable in the conveyingdirection of the conveyor belt. A servomotor for driving the conveyorbelt and a further servomotor for driving the movement of the belt endare preferably located in the aligning belt and in the positioning belt.The movement of the belt end is a reciprocating movement.

The device is preferably coordinated with the clock rate of thepackaging machine. A signal for clocking the positioning belt ispreferably given when all rows of the loading station are occupied. Thedevice according to the invention and the packaging machine can becontrolled by a common computer.

The system according to the invention is simple and inexpensive to setup. The device according to the invention can be combined with any otherpackaging machine. Any desired portions may be loaded into packagingcavities which are arranged in any desired format with respect to oneanother, using the system according to the invention. The portionpatterns and/or the formats are freely programmable and can be changedas desired by pressing a button, so the system according to theinvention does not have to be modified for a change in format within thepackaging machine, on a change of product or a change in the portionpattern. The system according to the invention can be operated with adetection means. The position of the product on the aligning belt onlyhas to be detected once. The exact path and the speed of the respectiveproduct within the device can be determined with the aid of the signalsof the detection means and the signals of the drive sensors. Theproducts do not have to be transferred to the aligning belt withspecific spacing, so a buffer does not need to be arranged upstream ofthe system according to the invention. Irregular product spacing on thealigning belt can be compensated. The speed of the aligning belt canitself be kept constant during the transfer of the products from thealigning belt to the portioning belt, so a product buffer can bedispensed with. If the subsequent packaging machine stops, the aligningbelt and the portioning/loading belt are also stopped without theproducts located thereon having to the removed. Restarting of thealigning belt and of the portioning/loading belt takes placeautomatically once the packaging machine is operative again as thedevice knows the position of the respective products on the aligning orportioning belt as knowledge of the path and speed. The spacing betweenthe middle intake track of the aligning belt and of the loading centerline of the packaging machine can be freely selected within the machinelimits.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing any desiredportions and formats of products, comprising an aligning belt whichconveys the products and transfers them at a transfer edge to aportioning belt on which the portions and/or the formats are producedand with which the products are preferably conveyed onwards ascorresponding portions and in the respective format, wherein theposition of the transfer edge relative to the portioning belt ischanged, at least in one direction, and/or the position of theportioning belt is moved relative to the transfer edge, at least in onedirection, and the position of the transfer edge and the movement of theportioning belt are coordinated with one another such that any desiredportions and formats are produced with the products.

A portion according to the invention is any arrangement in whichproducts, in particular foodstuffs, are arranged in a specific portionpattern. The stack, the shingling in the longitudinal and transversedirections, in each case with and without overlapping, the zigzagpattern and the terrace-like row are mentioned here as non-limitingexamples of possible portion patterns.

A format according to the invention is the arrangement which theindividual portions assume with respect to one another. The format ofthe portions is generally based on the arrangement of the packagingcavities of a subsequent packaging machine in which the portions aredeposited and/or the clock rate at which the packaging cavities areconveyed onwards. The products are preferably deposited in parallelproduct rows.

Any conveying device familiar to a person skilled in the art is suitableas the aligning belt. However, the aligning belt is preferably anendless conveyor belt. The change in the position of the transfer edgeof the aligning belt can be produced in that the entire aligning belt isdisplaceably mounted, preferably in a guide, relative to the portioningbelt and/or in that the length of the aligning belt can be changed, forexample by construction as a return belt or shuttle belt. The device cancomprise a plurality of aligning belts which preferably operateindependently of one another.

If the position of the transfer edge relative to the portioning belt canbe changed, the movement of the transfer edge should preferably beconfigured in such a way that the transfer edge travels so far over thewidth or length of the portioning belt that, by taking into accounttheir throw parabola, the products can be deposited at any positionalong the portioning belt. The speed at which the position of thetransfer edge is changed is preferably greater than the conveying speedof the aligning belt.

Any devices familiar to a person skilled in the art on which theproducts can be deposited in predetermined portions and in a specificformat and can preferably be conveyed onwards is suitable as theportioning belt. The portioning belt is preferably an endless belt whichis preferably arranged in a machine frame. The change in the position ofthe portioning belt can be produced in that the entire machine frame ismoved relative to the transfer edge and/or in that the portioning beltis moved relative to machine frame. The device according to theinvention can comprise a plurality of portioning belts which preferablyoperate independently of one another.

If the portioning belt is movable relative to the transfer edge, themovement of the portioning belt should preferably be configured in sucha way that, by taking into account their throw parabola, the productscan be deposited at any position along the aligning belt. The speed atwhich the portioning belt is moved is preferably greater than theconveying speed of the aligning belt.

The aligning belt and the portioning belt can be arranged at any desiredangle to one another. However, an arrangement at a right angle ispreferred.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the position of the transferedge can be changed in and counter to the conveying direction of thealigning belt and the portioning belt is movable relative to thetransfer edge in one direction. The two directions are preferablylocated in one plane and can adopt any desired angle to one another, theangle between the conveying direction and the direction of movement ofthe portioning belt preferably being 90° or 270°.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the positionof the transfer edge can be changed as desired in the conveyingdirection and transversely to the conveying direction of the aligningbelt. The portioning belt is preferably not moved for producing theportions or formats.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention theportioning belt is constructed to be movable at least in two directionswhich are preferably perpendicular to one another. The transfer edge ofthe aligning belt is preferably not moved for producing the portions orformats.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the positionof the transfer edge can be changed in and counter to the conveyingdirection of the aligning belt and comprises a means with which theproducts can be lined up on the aligning belt relative to the centraltrack thereof. The portioning belt is preferably not moved for producingthe portions or formats.

The transfer edge is preferably displaceably mounted on the aligningbelt, displacement preferably taking place via a servomotor. In thiscase, the belt length has to be compensated in the aligning belt. Thisembodiment of the present invention has the advantage that the exactposition of the end of the aligning belt can be ascertainedelectronically at any time. It allows continuous positioning of theproducts to be deposited on the positioning belt. A displaceably mountedtransfer edge also has the advantage that the products can betransferred from the aligning belt to the portioning belt by a fastreturn stroke, preferably at a constant conveying speed of the aligningbelt. This embodiment of the present invention reduces the tiltingeffect of the products during the parabolic trajectory thereof.

The portioning belt is preferably also a loading belt. In this case, oneor more formats are produced on the portioning belt, conveyed, forexample, to a packaging machine and then placed in packagings by theportioning belt. It is advantageous, in particular when the portioningbelt is also used as a loading belt, if one end thereof is displaceablymounted, so the portioning belt can be lengthened and shortened. Theportioning belt is particularly preferably configured as what is knownas a return or shuttle belt, so the products are deposited in thepackaging cavities with a fast return stroke of the portioning belt, thebelt being stationary during the return. Said end is quite particularlypreferably displaced by a servomotor. This embodiment of the presentinvention has the advantage that its positioning is very exact and thatthe exact position of the end of the portioning belt can beelectronically ascertained at any time.

The aligning belt and/or the portioning belt is also preferably drivenin each case by a servomotor, so the movements of the belts can becontrolled very precisely and can be transmitted by a sensor to centralcontrol unit.

In a preferred embodiment the device comprises a detection means,preferably a photocell. This detection means is preferably arranged inthe region of the beginning of the aligning belt and detects theposition of the products on the aligning belt, at least in the conveyingdirection. In this case, the products must be substantially aligned withone another on the aligning belt, so exact portions and formats can beproduced. If the detection means also ascertains the position of theproducts relative to the central track of the aligning belt, thisinformation can be taken into account when controlling the position ofthe transfer edge and/or the movement of the portioning belt in order toimprove the quality of the portions or formats.

The signals of the detection means are preferably transmitted to acomputer, for example a memory programmable controller (SPS), which isin turn connected to the drives, for example the servomotors. The exactlocation of the respective product within the device can be calculatedwith the aid of the data transmitted by the detection means and thedrives. The drives of the device according to the invention are alsocontrolled by the computer. This embodiment of the present invention hasthe advantage that any portion patterns and format can be freelyprogrammed and stored and that the portion patterns and/or format can bechanged without a constructional change to the device according to theinvention having to be carried out. An amount for the clock rate of themovement of the portioning belt is preferably stored in the controller.It is also advantageous if the controller transmits a signal to thedrive of the portioning belt only when all rows of the portioning beltare occupied by products. This ensures that all rows to be supplied, forexample to a subsequent packaging machine, are occupied by products.

The conveying speed of the aligning belt is preferably constant. Thisembodiment of the present invention has the advantage that no productbuffer has to be arranged upstream of the aligning belt.

The method according to the invention is simple and inexpensive to carryout. Any desired portions and formats may be produced using the deviceaccording to the invention. The portion patterns and/or formats arefreely programmable and can be changed as desired by pushing a buttonwithout the device according to the invention having to be modified. Themethod according to the invention can be operated with a detectionmeans. The position of the product on the aligning belt only has to bedetected once. The exact path and the speed of the respective productwithin the device can be determined with the aid of the signals of thedetection means and the signals of the drive sensors. The products donot have to be transferred to the aligning belt with specific spacing,so a product buffer does not need to be provided with the methodaccording to the invention. Irregular product spacing on the aligningbelt can be compensated. The speed of the aligning belt can itself bekept constant on transfer of products from the aligning belt to theportioning belt, so a product buffer can be dispensed with. If thesubsequent machine, for example a packaging machine, stops, the deviceaccording to the invention is also stopped without the products locatedthereon having to be removed. Restarting then takes place automaticallyas the position of the respective products on the aligning or portioningbelt is known as knowledge of path and speed. When using the deviceaccording to the invention as a loading belt, the spacing between theintake central track of the aligning belt and the loading center line,for example of the packaging machine, can be freely selected within themachine limits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1 to19. These descriptions are merely exemplary and do not restrict thegeneral inventive concept. The descriptions apply equally to the deviceaccording to the invention, the system according to the invention andthe method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention inwhich the aligning belt is moved in two directions.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention inwhich the portioning belt is moved in two directions.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the device according to theinvention in which the portioning belt is moved in two directions.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention inwhich the transfer edge of the aligning belt is moved in the conveyingdirection and the portioning belt transversely thereto.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention inwhich the aligning belt is moved transversely to the conveying directionand the portioning belt in the conveying direction of the aligning belt.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the inventioncomprising a means with which the products can be lined up relative tothe central track on the aligning belt.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention withtwo aligning belts.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the device according to theinvention with two aligning belts.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention withtwo portioning belts.

FIG. 10 shows a device according to the invention in which theportioning belt is also a loading belt.

FIG. 11 shows products in a regular row.

FIG. 12 shows products in an irregular row.

FIG. 13 shows products shingled to the front.

FIG. 14 shows products shingled to the back.

FIG. 15 shows terrace-like products.

FIG. 16 shows stacked products

FIG. 17 shows transversely shingled products.

FIG. 18 shows shingled products without overlapping

FIG. 19 shows products arranged offset.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(s)

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention withan aligning belt 1 and a portioning belt 3. The products 2 (only threeare shown) are conveyed by the aligning belt. The conveying device issymbolised by arrow 11. The spacing of the products 2 on the aligningbelt 1 does not have to be constant in the conveying direction 11. Thealigning belt has a machine frame (not shown) in which a conventionalendless belt is arranged. The aligning belt is driven at a constantspeed by a servomotor 24. The aligning belt has a transfer edge 4 atwhich the products 2 are dropped onto the portioning belt 3. In thepresent embodiment of the present invention, the transfer edge can bemoved relative to the portioning belt, both in and counter to theconveying direction 11 as well as transversely to the conveyingdirection 11 of the aligning belt, and this is symbolized by the doublearrows 7 and 8. To change the position of the transfer edge 4 in/counterto the conveying direction 11, the transfer edge 4 is displaceablymounted, relative to the machine frame, in a guide (not shown), wherebythe conveyor belt is lengthened or shortened. The transfer edge isdriven by a servomotor 25 (FIG. 10). In this embodiment of the presentinvention the products 2 can be ejected via a fast return stroke, so thetilting effect of the products during the parabolic trajectory isreduced. A person skilled in the art understands that, for this purpose,belt length compensation has to be provided on the aligning belt, so, onthe one hand, there is sufficient belt length available but, on theother hand, the belt is always taut. The movement of the transfer edge 4transversely to the conveying direction 8 is achieved by movement of theentire aligning belt 1 which takes place via a servomotor. A personskilled in the art understands that the movement of the aligning belt inthe conveying direction of the products can also be achieved bydisplacement of the entire aligning belt. As the two movements can besuperimposed, any desired points in a plane can be approached. Themovement of the transfer edge of the aligning belt 1 is dimensioned suchthat, by taking into account the throw parabola, the products 2 can bedeposited at all desired points of the portioning belt 3. The movementof the transfer edge 4 has to take place so rapidly between twoejections that the transfer edge has reached its new position at leastby the time the product to be ejected reaches the transfer edge. Theportioning belt 3 is stationary as the products 2 are being deposited inspecific portions 6 and formats 5. The portioning belt 3 is, in thepresent case, also configured as a conveyor belt which conveys theproducts in a clocked manner in the direction symbolized by the arrow14, once a format configuration 5, which in the present case consists ofsix adjacent portions 6 in two rows, has been deposited on theportioning belt. A person skilled in the art understands that thisfunction can also be used for the portion and/or format formation. Theportioning belt is driven by a servomotor 23. The device according tothe invention comprises a controller 22, which controls the position ofthe transfer edge in such a way that any desired portion patterns andformat can be produced on the portioning belt. The controller alsocontrols the advance 14.

The products may also be placed in packagings by the portioning belt 3,in addition to being conveyed onwards. The portioning belt 3 is thensimultaneously a loading belt as well. For this application it isadvantageous if the end 15 of the portioning belt is likewisedisplaceably mounted on the frame (not shown) of the portioning belt 3.The portions 6 can then be placed in the packagings by a fast return ofthe end 15 when the belt is stationary. Loading of the portions 6 inpackagings is likewise controlled by the above-mentioned controller. Theloading of products in packagings will be discussed in more detail inthe descriptions of FIG. 10.

A person skilled the art understands that the portions 6 are not justone product but a plurality of products which have been configured toform a portion. This portion may have been transferred to the aligningbelt in a finished state and/or may be produced by the movement of thetransfer edge. Possible portions are shown in FIG. 11 to 19.

At the beginning of the aligning belt 1, the device according to theinvention comprises a a detection means 21 (e.g., a photocell), whichdetects at least the position of the products 2 on the aligning belt inthe conveying direction. The further path and speed of the respectiveproducts 2 on the respective portions 6 on the aligning and portioningbelts is then calculated exactly, so that at any time the deviceaccording to the invention knows exactly where the respective product islocated and at what speed it is moving.

As can also be seen in FIG. 1, a division of a single-row product streaminto a multi-column (six column) product stream is possible as a resultof the movement of the transfer edge.

The embodiment of the device according to the invention in FIG. 2corresponds substantially to the embodiment of the device according toFIG. 1 except that in FIG. 2 the portioning belt is moved in twodirections. These statements regarding FIG. 1 therefore applyanalogously. The portioning belt 3 is configured as an endless beltwhich is guided in a machine frame (not shown). The movement of theportioning belt relative to the transfer edge and in the direction 10takes place via a reciprocal movement of the endless belt relative tothe machine frame. The movement of the portioning belt relative to thetransfer edge and in the direction 9 takes place via a displacement ofthe entire machine frame. The movements of the portioning belt 3relative to the transfer edge 4 take place using two servomotors (notshown).

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the device according to theinvention in which the portioning belt is moved in two directions. Thisembodiment of the present invention substantially corresponds to theembodiment of FIG. 2 except that in the present example the aligningbelt 1 is arranged parallel to the portioning belt 3. The statementsregarding FIGS. 1 and 2 therefore apply analogously.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention inwhich the transfer edge of the aligning belt is moved in and/or counterto the conveying direction thereof and the portioning belt is movedtransversely thereto. In this embodiment the movements in andtransversely to the conveying direction of the aligning belt areaccordingly divided between the two units. The movement of the transferedge 4 preferably takes place in that the transfer edge 4 is pivotallymounted on the machine frame (not shown) of the aligning belt 1 and ispushed back and forth within the guide by a servomotor. The portioningbelt is preferably constructed as an endless belt which is guided in amachine frame and driven by a servomotor. The movement of the portioningbelt 3 is preferably achieved by a forward and/or backward movement ofthe endless belt. This embodiment has the advantage that any desiredportion patterns 6 and format configurations 5 can be deposited on theportioning belt 3 without the aligning belt of the portioning belt inits entirety having to be moved. Furthermore, the statements regardingFIG. 1 to 3 apply analogously.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention inwhich the transfer edge of the aligning belt is moved transversely tothe conveying direction and the portioning belt is moved in and/orcounter to the conveying direction of the aligning belt. Accordingly,the movements in and transversely to the conveying direction of thealigning belt are also divided between the two units in this embodiment.Furthermore, the statements regarding FIG. 1 to 4 apply analogously.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention,comprising a means 12 with which the products can be lined up on thealigning belt 1 relative to the central track 13. The products 2 aredistributed on the aligning belt 1 relative to the central track 13 insuch way that the desired portion patterns 6 or format configurations 5take place only owing to a movement of the transfer edge 4 of thealigning belt relative to the portioning belt and/or of the portioningbelt 3 relative to the transfer edge 4. For example, a circle can bedeposited on the portioning belt if the products 2 are sinusoid allyarranged on the aligning belt. Furthermore, the statements regardingFIG. 1 to 5 apply analogously.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an embodiment of the device according to theinvention comprising two aligning belts 1 which in the present case areconfigured as endless belts which are guided in the machine frame. Theendless belts are each driven by a servomotor. The transfer edge 4 is ineach case displaceably arranged on the machine frame in a guide (notshown), the displacement of the transfer edge likewise taking place viaa servomotor. The two aligning belts can be operated completelyindependently of one another. This applies to the drives of the endlessbelts and to the displacement of the transfer edge. This embodiment ofthe present invention is advantageous if a plurality of product rows hasto be made available for supply into a deposit system or into a loadingstation. Reference is made, moreover, to the statements regarding FIG.1.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the device according to theinvention with two portioning belts 3. This solution is of particularinterest when, for example, two packaging machines are to be suppliedwith the same products, wherein the portion configurations 6 and theformats 5 can be different in each case.

FIG. 10 shows a system according to the invention comprising a deviceaccording to invention and a packaging machine operating in a clockedmanner, of which only the loading station 16 is shown. During one clock,nine packaging cavities 18 are filled with product in the loadingstation 16 and then conveyed onwards by one clock. The device accordingto the invention comprises an aligning belt 1 and a portioning belt 3arranged at a right angle thereto. The aligning belt 1 is a single-stripendless belt, of which the end 4 is again configured so as to be movablein the above-described manner. The portioning belt 3 is likewiseconfigured as an endless belt. The belt end 15 is also configured as amovable belt end in the sense of a return/shuttle belt. Referencenumeral 11 designates the conveying direction of the products 2 on thealigning belt 1, reference numeral 14 the conveying direction of theportions 6 on the portioning belt and 17 the conveying direction of theportions 6 into the packaging cavities 18. The packaging cavities 18 areillustrated only schematically in the loading station 16. Thereciprocating movement of the transfer edge 4 is symbolized by thedouble arrow 7 and the movement of the portioning belt 3 relative to thetransfer edge 4 by the arrow 10. The double arrow 19 denotes thereciprocating movement of the transfer edge 15. In this embodiment, theproducts 2 pass from the aligning belt 1 onto the portioning beltconfigured as a loading belt, wherein, due to the movable constructionof the transfer edge 4, they can be deposited, for example in adifferent sequence, one above the other as a stack or shingled asportions 6 in the formats 5. In the present case, a format 5 consists ofthree rows and three columns, the number of rows corresponding to thenumber of adjacent packaging cavities 18 transverse to the conveyingdirection 17 and the number of columns corresponding to the advance ofthe packaging cavities during one clock. The portioning belt 3 thenconveys these portions to the loading station 16. The portions 6 aredeposited or ejected by the portioning belt 3 into the free packagingcavities in the loading station 16. This may also be varied in thisexample as the belt end 15 is likewise configured so as to be movable. Aperson skilled in the art acknowledges that the portioning belt 3 mayalso be divided into multiple strips. In this case it is possible toconfigure the belt ends thereof independently of one another andlikewise movably as a return/shuttle belt. Both belts have beltcompensation 20.

It will again be described with reference to this example how theproducts are positioned. The device according to the invention consistsof an aligning belt 1 and a portioning belt 3. In this case, thealigning belt 1 is parallel to the packaging machine with the loadingstation 16, and the portioning belt 3 transverse to the aligning belt 1and to the loading station 16 of the packaging machine. The aligningbelt 1 conveys the row of incoming products or portions to theportioning belt 3. This in turn then conveys the products 2 as portions6 arranged in a specific format 5 to the loading station 16 of thepackaging machine. In principle, the two belts 1, 3, as endless belts,are identical. They differ in the selected example only in their width.A servomotor 24, 25 (FIG. 1) for driving the aligning belt and theconveying belt, respectively, and a servomotor 25, 26 (FIG. 10) fordriving the movement of the transfer edge 4 of the aligning belt 1 andthe belt end 15 of the portioning belt 3, respectively. As a result ofthis arrangement the transfer edge 4 and the belt end 15 can be movedback and forth. As already mentioned this embodiment is also called ashuttle belt.

Reference numeral 20 indicates a length-compensating device which allowsfast compensation or provision of conveyor belt in the event of a changein the active length thereof. The products 2 arriving in a row areejected from the aligning belt 1 onto the portioning belt 3 at constantbelt speed defined by the controller of the belt return. There may beone, two, three or more ejection points, depending on the formatconfiguration of the packaging machine (in the conveying direction ofthe packaging cavities 18), there being three in the present case. Afast return stroke of the transfer edge 4 while reaching the ejectionposition causes a reduction in the tilting effect during the parabolictrajectory.

The portioning belt 3 clocks onward by a calculated amount when a row ofproducts 2 has been transferred to the portioning belt by the aligningbelt 1. This means that the belt of the second conveyor belt 3 advancesin steps. This onwards clock rate then produces the required formatconfiguration transversely to the conveying direction of the packagingmachine. As soon as a format has been completely deposited theportioning belt clocks onward by another calculated amount and a newformat is deposited. In the present example two formats are completelydeposited on the portioning belt. In a third format the first row hasjust been deposited. If the products are in the position for transfer tothe packaging machine, in other words are exactly above the openpackagings in the loading region of the loading station 16 of thepackaging machine, a fast return stroke takes place when the belt isstationary, whereby the portions fall vertically downwards. In themeantime, a new row of products 2 is transferred via the aligning belt 1to the portioning belt 3. Before the next belt advance occurs the secondportioning belt 3 or the belt end 15 returns to the starting positionuntil, after further forward clocks, portions are again in the ejectionposition.

The above-described packaging line has the following properties andadvantages. In the selected embodiment both belts are configured as areturn/shuttle belt. The two conveyor belts are at right angles to oneanother. By using a central controller and servodrives for the belts andfor the belt ends 4, 15, the format configuration can be stored in theprogrammed, in other words a change in the format distribution onlyrequires a changeover to a different programmed without any componentsof the packaging line having to the change their position. By usingservodrives and a detection means at the beginning of the aligning belt1, it is possible to precisely calculate the path and speed of a product2 or portion 6 and to store the data in the controller. The deviceaccording to the invention accordingly knows at any time where therespective product 2 or the respective portion 6 is located and whatspeed it has at that instant. This information is particularly importantfor restarting the device according to the invention after anoperation-induced stoppage, as the device according to the invention canbe automatically restarted. Products which are located on the deviceaccording to the invention after the stoppage do not have to be removed.At least the position of the products 2 in the conveying direction 11 isascertained by the detection means. If the detection means also detectsoffsetting of the products relative to the center line or any otherlongitudinal axis of the aligning belt, this information can be used tocompensate the offset by a corresponding movement of the portioningbelt, so the desired portion pattern or the desired format configurationis produced on the portioning belt.

The selected arrangement of the belts 1, 3 relative to one another, theuse of servodrives and the coordination of the position of the transferedge 4 relative to the portioning belt and the movement of theportioning belt 3 relative to the transfer edge 4 allows any desiredportion patterns 6 and format configurations 5, which are shown asexample in FIG. 11 to 19, to be created. The spacing between theproducts 2 on the aligning belt may vary.

FIG. 11 to 19 show portions and formats, which can be produced with thedevice according to the invention. The list is to be understood as beingexemplary and non-limiting.

FIG. 11 shows six portions 6 in regular row. Two rows are shown. Theportions 6 are conveyed on the portioning belt (not shown) in thedirection shown by the arrow 14. The format can be of single-row ordouble-row configuration, in other words either one or two rows aredeposited in the loading station of a packaging machine during oneclock.

FIG. 12 shows three portions 6 in an irregular row. Two rows are shown.The portions 6 are conveyed on the portioning belt (not shown) in thedirection shown by the arrow 14. The format can be of single-row ordouble-row configuration, in other words either one or two rows aredeposited in the loading station of a packaging machine during oneclock.

FIG. 13 shows two portions 6 shingled to the front in a row. A row isproduced by the device shown in FIG. 10 in that the portion isconstructed from left to right or, relative to the conveying directionof the aligning belt, from back to front. The portioning belt isstationary meanwhile. Two rows are shown. The portions 6 are conveyed onthe portioning belt (not shown) in the direction shown by the arrow 14.The format can be of single-row or double-row configuration, in otherwords either one or two rows are deposited in the loading station of apackaging machine during one clock.

FIG. 14 shows two portions 6 shingled to the back in a row. A row isproduced by the device shown in FIG. 10 in that the portion isconstructed from right to left or, relative to the conveying direction11 of the aligning belt, from front to back. The portioning belt isstationary meanwhile. Two rows are shown. The portions 6 are conveyed onthe portioning belt (not shown) in the direction shown by the arrow 14.The format can be of single-row or double-row configuration, in otherwords either one or two rows are deposited in the loading station of apackaging machine during one clock.

FIG. 15 shows two terrace-like portions 6 in a row. A row is produced bythe device shown in FIG. 10 in that first the two respective bottomproducts are deposited and then one respective product is placed on top.The portioning belt is stationary during deposition of a row. Two rowsare shown. The portions 6 are conveyed on the portioning belt (notshown) in the direction shown by the arrow 14. The format can be ofsingle-row or double-row configuration, in other words either one or tworows are deposited in the loading station of a packaging machine duringone clock.

FIG. 16 shows three stacked portions in a row. A stack 6 is produced bythe device shown in FIG. 10 in that three respective products 2 aredeposited in one location on the portioning belt. The portioning belt isstationary during deposition of a row. Two rows are shown. The portions6 are conveyed on the portioning belt (not shown) in the direction shownby the arrow 14. The format can be of single-row or double-rowconfiguration, in other words either one or two rows are deposited inthe loading station of a packaging machine during one clock.

FIG. 17 shows two transversely shingled portions 6 in a row. A portion 6is produced by the device shown in FIG. 10 in that three respectiveproducts 2 are deposited in one location on the portioning belt. Theportioning belt conveys the product just deposited onward by one clockbefore the next product is deposited, the two portions 6 of a row,however, preferably being produced in parallel. Two rows are shown. Theportions 6 are conveyed on the portioning belt (not shown) in thedirection shown by the arrow 14. The format can be of single-row ordouble-row configuration, in other words either one or two rows aredeposited in the loading station of a packaging machine during oneclock.

FIG. 18 shows three transversely shingled portions 6, withoutoverlapping, in a row. A portion 6 is produced by the device shown inFIG. 10 in that a product 2 is deposited on the portioning belt. Theportioning belt conveys the product just deposited onward by one clockbefore the next product is deposited, the three portions 6 of a row,however, preferably being produced in parallel. One row is shown. Theportions 6 are conveyed on the portioning belt (not shown) in thedirection shown by the arrow 14.

FIG. 19 shows three offset portions 6, without overlapping, in a row. Aportion 6 is produced by the device shown in FIG. 10 in that a product 2is deposited on the portioning belt. The portioning belt conveys theproduct just deposited onward by one clock before the next product isdeposited, the three portions 6 of a row, however, preferably beingproduced in parallel. One row is shown. The portions 6 are conveyed onthe portioning belt (not shown) in the direction shown by the arrow 14.

1. A device for producing various portions and formats of productscomprising: (a) an aligning belt having a transfer edge, the aligningbelt configured for conveying and transferring products to a portioningbelt on which the portions and the formats are produced and with whichthe products are conveyed onwards as corresponding portions and in therespective format; and (b) a detection means, which detects andtransfers first data on the position of a respective product on thealigning belt to a controller, the controller also receiving second datafrom at least one of an aligning belt drive and a portioning belt driveso that the location of the respective product can be calculated usingthe first and second data such that the controller controls at least oneof the aligning belt drive and the portioning belt drive according tothe desired portions and formats; wherein the position of the transferedge is changed by an aligning belt drive relative to the portioningbelt in at least one direction, the position of the portioning belt ischanged by a portioning belt drive relative to the transfer edge in atleast one direction, or both, the position of the transfer edge ischanged by the aligning belt drive relative to the portioning belt in atleast one direction and the position of the portioning belt is changedby the portioning belt drive relative to the transfer edge in at leastone direction; and wherein the position of the transfer edge and themovement of the portioning belt are coordinated with one another suchthat one or more desired portions and formats are produced with theproducts.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the position of the transferedge is movable in a conveying direction of the aligning belt, counterto the conveying direction of the aligning belt, or both, and theportioning belt is movable relative to the transfer edge in a generallyperpendicular direction to that of the conveying direction of thealigning belt.
 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a pluralityof aligning belts, a plurality of portioning belts, or both.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the conveying direction of the plurality ofaligning belts, the conveying direction of the plurality of portioningbelts, or both are the same or different.
 5. The device of claim 2,wherein the transfer edge is displaceably mounted on the aligning beltand displacement of the transfer edge is achieved by way of aservomotor.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the end of the portioningbelt is displaceably mounted on the portioning belt and displacement theend is achieved by a servomotor.
 7. The device of claim 2, wherein thealigning belt, the portioning belt, or both is driven by a servomotor.8. The device of claim 7, wherein at least one selected portion patternand at least one selected format is programmed and stored.
 9. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the speed of the aligning belt is constant.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the portioning belt is also a loading belt.11. The device of claim 1, wherein the position of the transfer edge ismovable in the conveying direction of the aligning belt and transverselyto the conveying direction of the aligning belt.
 12. The device of claim1, wherein the portioning belt is movable in at least two directionsthat are generally perpendicular to one another.
 13. The device of claim1, further comprising a means with which the products are lined up onthe aligning belt relative to a central track, and wherein the positionof the transfer edge is movable in and counter to the conveyingdirection of the aligning belt.
 14. A system comprising: (a) a devicefor producing various portions and formats of products including: (i) analigning belt having a transfer edge, the aligning belt configured forconveying and transferring products to a portioning belt on which theportions and the formats are produced and with which the products areconveyed onwards as corresponding portions and in the respective format;and (ii) a detection means, which detects and transfers first data onthe position of a respective product on the aligning belt to acontroller, the controller also receiving second data from at least oneof an aligning belt drive and a portioning belt drive so that thelocation of the respective product can be calculated using the first andsecond data such that the controller controls at least one of thealigning belt drive and the portioning belt drive according to thedesired portions and formats; wherein the position of the transfer edgeis changed by an aligning belt drive relative to the portioning belt inat least one direction, the position of a portioning belt is changed bythe portioning belt drive relative to the transfer edge in at least onedirection, or both, the position of the transfer edge is changed by thealigning belt drive relative to the portioning belt in at least onedirection and the position of the portioning belt is changed by theportioning belt drive relative to the transfer edge in at least onedirection; and wherein the position of the transfer edge and themovement of the portioning belt are co-ordinated with one another suchthat one or more desired portions and formats are produced with theproducts; and (b) a packaging machine; wherein the portioning belt isalso a loading belt, which places the portions in one or more packagingcavities that are conveyed along the packaging machine in a clockedmanner.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the portioning belt isarranged at a right angle to the packaging machine.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the aligning belt is arranged at a right angle to theportioning belt.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the device iscoordinated with the clocked manner of the packaging machine.
 18. Amethod for producing one or more desired portions and formats ofproducts comprising the steps of: (a) conveying products along analigning belt having a transfer edge; (b) transferring the products atthe transfer edge of the aligning belt to a portioning belt on which theportions and the formats are produced and with which the products areconveyed onwards as corresponding portions and in the respective format;and (c) placing the products in one or more packages in a clocked mannerby the positioning belt; wherein the position of the transfer edge ischanged by an aligning belt drive relative to the portioning belt in atleast one direction, the position of a portioning belt is changed by theportioning belt drive relative to the transfer edge in at least onedirection, or both, the position of the transfer edge is changed by thealigning belt drive relative to the portioning belt in at least onedirection and the position of the portioning belt is changed by theportioning belt drive relative to the transfer edge in at least onedirection; and wherein the position of the transfer edge and themovement of the portioning belt are coordinated with one another suchthat the one or more desired portions and formats are produced with theproducts.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the position of thetransfer edge is movable in a conveying direction of the aligning belt,counter to the conveying direction of the aligning belt, or both, andthe portioning belt is movable relative to the transfer edge in agenerally perpendicular direction to that of the conveying direction ofthe aligning belt.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the position ofthe transfer edge is movable in the conveying direction of the aligningbelt and transversely to the conveying direction of the aligning belt.21. The method of claim 18, wherein the portioning belt is movable in atleast two directions that are generally perpendicular to one another.22. The method of claim 18, wherein the position of the transfer edge ismovable in the conveying direction of the aligning belt, and theproducts on the aligning belt are each positioned in a specific positionrelative to a central track on the aligning belt.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the transfer edge is displaced relative to thealigning belt by way of a servomotor.
 24. The method of claims 23,further comprising the step of detecting a position of one or moreproducts on the aligning belt in at least one conveying direction of thealigning belt.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the stepof controlling the device by a controller, which stores at least oneamount for a clocking of the portioning belt.
 26. The method of claim25, wherein the clocking of the portioning belt includes the controllertransmitting a signal to a drive of the portioning belt when at leastone row of the format is complete.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereinthe speed of the aligning belt is constant.
 28. The method of claim 18,further comprising the step of detecting and transferring first data onthe position of a respective product on the aligning belt to acontroller, the controller also receiving second data from at least oneof the aligning belt drive and the portioning belt drive so that thelocation of the respective product can be calculated using the first andsecond data such that the controller controls at least one of thealigning belt drive and the portioning belt drive according to thedesired portions and formats.